Out in Print

The phone call began another very long day. It arrived approximately 10 seconds after you walked to your desk, the first of that kind of interruption, followed by dozens of urgent (to the sender) emails and six cubicle drop-bys. Alas, you didn’t get much done that day.

Elbow, elbow, wrist-wrist-wrist. It’s like icing a cake with your hand, they say, and you practiced that wave aplenty when you were young. You never knew when you might find yourself walking down a long stage with roses in your arms and a crown on your head.

You’ve planned for it, dreamed of it, wished it would happen. You imagined yourself with it and envied those who had it: family, vacation, money, success, a sibling, a pony. Whatever it was, it’s been your most fervent desire since forever.

From the moment you entered the world, squalling and wet, your parents had many expectations for you. They expected you to grow up with morals, decency and kindness, strength and smarts. They hoped you’d be productive, happy, and live a long life. Dad might have dreamed you’d take over the family business. Mom might have wanted to teach you to ride a bike or a horse. They saw great promise in your future.

They’ve become as familiar to you as your own living room: auditoriums filled with uniformed, spine-straight soldiers on their way to deployment or smiling men and women, arms full of family, on their way home. And, no matter what auditorium…

Thomas Patrick Chorlton is no stranger to politics. Or history. Or LGBT rights. But, it is his passion for the American Revolution and our nation’s top office that pushed him to explore what he calls “the black hole of American history.” His new book, “The First American Republic: 1774-1789,” explores the first 14 presidents that preceded George Washington.

Chaz Bono’s “Transition” is filled with angst, anger, sadness and pain, topped off with wonderment and joy. It’s also repetitious, contains a few delicately squirmy moments and its occasional bogginess is a challenge for wandering minds.

Columnist Dan Savage, with his husband Terry Miller and a friend, decided to do something about that. In “It Gets Better,” they explain what happened and how their un-splashy video became a tidal wave of support.

There are few things in life that you need, other than clothes and food. You need love: someone to curl up with, to re-hash the day, to warm your feet. You need strength to get through the drama. And you need to know you’re on the right path in life.

Readers looking for Heavenly succor will find it in Bean’s reassuring teachings, while others will be merely treated to a unique memoir. If you’re up for something good, “I Was Born This Way” is worth laying eyes on.

“Mama Dearest” by E. Lynn Harris c.2009, Karen Hunter Publishing / Pocket Books $25.99 / $34.00 Canada 389 pages The minute you saw that child, you knew who she belonged to. She had the same eyes, same chin, same mannerisms….

“In and Out of Hollywood” by Charles Higham c.2009, Terrace Books $29.95 / $34.50 Canada 306 pages, includes index It was just an accident. Nobody meant for it to happen. It was just one of “those things”, only orchestrated when…

Charlotte LGBT Protections

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On Stands Now

QNotes is ready for spring and all the fine arts and entertainment that will come with it. Take a look through our Spring A&E Guide, with theatre listings, events, concerts and more, plus our cover story with local performer Tyler Smith. Also: local, regional and national news of note.